Official Document

2026 OC 3x3 Tournament Rules

Complete rulebook & courtside handbook for players, captains, and referees at Oregon City High School Pioneer Gymnasium.

Quick Reference — Courtside Card

At-a-Glance Summary

Game Length 21 pts or 20 min (running clock)

Championship True double elimination. A team coming out of the losers bracket must win twice — an "if necessary" game follows each final.

First Possession 2-point shot attempt

Timeouts 30 seconds (clock does NOT stop). 1 timeout per team. No timeouts in last 2 min.

Substitutions During Dead Ball and Time Out only

Checked Ball Required only after dead balls. No check after made basket. Check-in behind line at top of key, outside 2pt arc. Defense stays inside arc until ball touches offensive player's hands.

Shot Clock 12 sec to attempt a shot. Ref counts last 5 aloud. Violation = other team's ball.

Scoring 1s and 2s. Free throws are 1 pt each.

Fouls 6 team fouls = all fouls receive free throws. Non-shooting = 1 FT (or 2 FT after 6 team fouls). Shooting foul = 1 or 2 FTs based on shot location.

The Ball 28.5" for under 7th grade & all girls/women. 29.5" for all boys/men 7th to adult.

Overtime Each team gets 1 possession. If still tied, sudden death.

Score Sheet Ref signs it and gives it to the WINNING team. That team takes it to the scorer's table.

Disqualification 2 technical fouls = out.

Complete Tournament Articles & Directives

Official 2026 OC 3x3 Handbook

#1Divisions

Divisions are separated by age, for girls and boys alike, with men's and women's divisions for adults.

In the girls' and boys' divisions, a player who is younger than the division may play up into it. A player who is older than the division may not play down into it.

The men's and women's divisions are the other way round. A player who is older than the division may play down into it if they choose. A player who is younger than the division may not play up into it.

Every player must bring proof of age to check-in — one per player, not one per team. Any document showing the player’s name and their date of birth or age works: a government-issued ID, passport or birth certificate, a school ID card, or a school website or school record. Paper or on a phone is fine.

Explanation: In the youth divisions the age range works as a ceiling — it keeps an older, bigger player out of a younger bracket, while a younger player who wants the challenge can take it. In the men's and women's divisions it works as a floor instead: an adult may choose a younger bracket at their own risk, but a youth player may not enter an adult one.

Each Team will consist of up to 4 total players max.

#2Bracket Format

Every division is a double-elimination bracket: a team stays in until it loses twice. Every team is guaranteed a minimum of 3 games.

The championship is true double elimination. A team that reaches the final out of the losers bracket already has one loss, so it has to win twice. If it wins the final, an "if necessary" game is played straight after to decide the title.

If the team out of the winners bracket wins the final, that team is champion and the "if necessary" game is not played.

Explanation: This is standard double elimination and it is how the printed bracket sheets are drawn — a team should not go out of a double-elimination bracket on a single loss. The "if necessary" game is already on the schedule, half an hour after each final, and is only played when it is needed.

#3Game Length

21 points or 20 minutes, whichever comes first. The clock is running and does not stop.

Explanation: We switched from 20 points to 21 points to align with FIBA 3x3 standards, but kept 20 minutes (instead of FIBA's 10 minutes) to allow for a full, competitive game. The 20-minute cap prevents overly long tournaments while ensuring teams have adequate playing time.

#4First Possession

1 player from either team will attempt a 2-point shot from the top of the 2-point arc for first possession honors.

Explanation: We use a 2-point shot attempt for opening possession rather than a jump ball, as this is more engaging for players and fans while still determining which team gets first possession.

#5Time Outs

Each team will receive 1 x 30-second time-out per game. No time-outs with 2 minutes or less remaining. If a time-out is not used in regulation play, it will not carry over into overtime. Clock does not stop during timeouts.

Explanation: Since the clock does not stop during timeouts, we restrict timeouts in the last 2 minutes to keep the game flowing and prevent stalling tactics.

#6Shot Clock

A team has 12 seconds to attempt a shot once it gains possession. The referee counts the last 5 seconds aloud with a raised hand. Failing to attempt a shot in time is a violation and the ball is awarded to the other team. The count restarts on a change of possession and after an offensive rebound.

Explanation: This is FIBA's 12-second shot clock, counted by the referee rather than run on a clock — six courts would need six visible clocks and six operators. The count keeps the game moving and stops a team running out a lead by holding the ball, which matters on a running clock.

#7Scoring

Any basket made on or inside the 2-point arc will count as 1 point. Any basket made behind the 2-point arc will count as 2 points. Any free throw will count for 1 point.

#8The Score Sheet

At the end of the game the referee signs the score sheet and hands it to the winning team. That team takes it straight to the scorer’s table.

Check the score and the winner before you leave the court — that sheet is what puts your result on the bracket. Do not leave it on the bench, and do not wait for someone to come and collect it.

Explanation: Six courts run at once and there is one table. The referee stays on court for the next game, so the sheet has to travel with somebody — and the winning team is the one with a reason to see it recorded correctly.

#9Overtime

If there is a tie score at the end of the 20-minute time limit, each team will have 1 additional possession to score. If the score is still tied, the game will go to sudden death. First possession decided by a single 2pt shot attempt. If there is a dispute about who gets to shoot the shot, the shooter will be determined by coin flip or rock, paper, scissors.

Explanation: We use a 1-possession format for overtime rather than FIBA's "first to 2 points" to keep overtime short and decisive, then transition to sudden death if needed.

#10Substitutions

Subs can only be made on a "dead ball" or during a time-out.

#11Court Specs

All hoops will be at the regulation height of 10 feet and the free throw line at 15 feet.

#12Ball Size for Divisions

All girls/women and boys between grades 3-6th will use a 28.5" basketball (Size 6). A full size 29.5" basketball (Size 7) will be used for all male brackets from grades 7th to adult. A ball from either team must be provided to play.

Explanation: We use smaller balls for younger players and women to better match their hand size, improving dribbling, shooting, and ball handling. This is consistent with standard basketball sizing guidelines.

#13Checked Ball

The ball must be "checked" by an opposing player before it is put into play only after dead balls (e.g., after timeouts, fouls, ball out of bounds). No check is required after a made basket. Once the ball has been checked IT IS LIVE. The check-in must occur behind the designated line at the top of the key, outside the 2pt arc. The on-ball defenders must remain on the inside of the arc until the checked ball touches the hands of the offensive player. Once the ball is checked (touches offensive player's hands) the defense may defend outside the 3pt line.

Explanation: We removed the check-after-made-basket to speed up gameplay. After scoring, the ball is simply inbounded immediately without needing a check, keeping the game fast-paced.

#14Taking It Back

The ball will be "taken back" on each change of possession, regardless of whether or not a shot was attempted. "Taking it Back" means both feet AND the ball must be behind the 2-point arc. Failure to "take it back" results in loss of possession and any points just scored.

#15Ball out of Bounds

A ball out of bounds will be "checked" above the 2-point arc.

#16Change of Possession

The ball will change possession after scored baskets. There will be no "make it, take it" rule. A change of possession also occurs after a free throw shot regardless of whether it is made or missed.

#17Jump Ball

In a jump ball situation, the ball will first go to the team that lost the opening 2-point shot honors, alternating possessions thereafter.

#18Fouls

The referee will call the fouls. Once a team reaches 6 fouls (team fouls), all subsequent fouls (both shooting and non-shooting) will result in free throws.

Non-shooting fouls (before 6 team fouls): 1 free throw
Non-shooting fouls (after 6 team fouls): 2 free throws
Shooting fouls (1pt shot): 1 free throw (plus the basket if made)
Shooting fouls (2pt shot): 2 free throws (plus the basket if made)

When a foul is called and the basket is made, the basket counts and the appropriate number of free throw shots is awarded. A change of possession results following the last free throw shot, regardless of whether the free throw is made or missed, with the exception of intentional or flagrant fouls described below.

Explanation: We switched to a "team foul" system (6 fouls = all fouls get FTs) rather than FIBA's bonus system. This simplifies the rule and ensures teams are rewarded for playing solid defense.

#19Intentional Fouls

An intentional foul is a foul designed to neutralize an opponent's obvious advantageous position. It is a foul which, based on a referee's observation of the act, is not a legitimate attempt to directly play the ball. A foul shall also be ruled intentional, based on the referee's observation of the act, if while attempting to play a ball, a player causes excessive contact.

An intentional foul will result in two free throw shots and the offended team maintains possession of the ball, which is taken at the backcourt line.

#20Flagrant Fouls

A flagrant foul may be of a violent or savage nature, or an act, which displays unacceptable conduct. It may or may not be intentional. It may also involve dead ball contact or dialogue which is extreme or persistent, savage or abusive.

A flagrant foul will result in two free throw shots and the offended team maintains possession of the ball, which is taken out at the backcourt line. The player committing the foul will be suspended from play for the remainder of that game. The court monitor, referee's, or tournament official's decision is final. Further, any ejection will be reviewed and removal from the remainder of the tournament will be left up to the sole discretion of the Tournament Director.

#21Technical Fouls

All technical fouls, including taunting, baiting, trash talking, and profanity will result in two free throws and possession of the ball. A second technical foul will result in disqualification for the remainder of the game.

Explanation: We keep "2 technicals = disqualification" from OC3x3 rules to maintain sportsmanship and keep the game respectful.

#22Tiebreaker Rule within a Pool

In the event of a two-team tie, the outcome is decided by the winner of the head-to-head game between the two tied teams. If three or more teams are involved in a tie, the winner will be determined by the point differential for all games played, with no maximum for the differential. Forfeits will be scored as a +5/-5 for the differential.

#23Schedules

We will do our very best to provide schedules by the Thursday before the tournament. This is a Saturday only Tournament. Games could be as early as 9:00am and will continue into the evening depending on the number of participants. There is a minimum 3-game guarantee.

#24Game Times

Teams must be ready to begin play at their scheduled start time. Teams not at their court for their scheduled game are given a 5-minute grace period before a forfeit is enforced.

#25The Fine Print

OC 3x3 event organizers shall have the power to make all decisions on any points not specifically covered in the Rules and Policies and shall have the sole authority to interpret the intent and purpose of these Rules & Policies. Event organizers reserve the right to disqualify any player and/or team for infractions of tournament rules and policies.

Ready to Take the Court?

Gather your squad of up to 4 players and lock in your registration before August 9th.